Depression

Depression is a huge burden affecting millions today and becoming more common in Western countries, as well as in developing countries that are "Westernising" their economies.

Symptoms of Major Depression indicates an extremely depressed mood state that lasts at least 2 weeks and includes cognitive symptoms (such as feelings of worthlessness and indecisiveness) and disturbed physical functions (such as altered sleeping patterns, significant changes in appetite and weight, or a very notable loss of energy) to the point that even the slightest activity or movement requires an overwhelming effort. This is usually accompanied by a marked general loss of interest and of the ability to experience pleasure from life, including interactions with family or friends and accomplishments at work or at school.

Around four decades ago depression struck people first, on average, in their 40's and 50's, today it is their mid-20's. Very worrylingly research shows that depression tend to return - At least 50% of those experiencing depression finds that it comes back, despite the fact that they appeared to have made a full recovery.

Cycle of Depression
Research has shown that there is a difference between those who have experienced an episode of depression and those who have not: Depression forges a connection in the brain between sad mood and negative thoughts, so that even normal sadness can reawaken major negative thoughts.

Pioneering scientists like Aaron Beck had the insight that negative thoughts play a leading role in depression. Beck and his colleagues made a huge leap in our understanding od depression when they found that mood was strongly shaped by thoughts - that it wasn't necessarily events themselves that drove our emotions but our beliefs about or interpretations of those events.

So not only can thoughts affect mood, but in those who get depressed, mood can affect thoughts in ways that can make an already low mood even lower. It doesn't require a traumatic loss for those who are vulnerable to plunge down into the spiral again; even the kinds of everyday difficulties that many people shrug off can start the descent into depression.

This connection becomes so ingrained that sometimes the negative thoughts that lead to depression can be triggered by sadness so fleeting or minimal that the person experiencing it is hardly aware of it.

How to deal with depression
Recovering from depression requires action, but taking action when you’re depressed is hard. In fact, just thinking about the things you should do to feel better, like going for a walk or spending time with friends, can be exhausting.

The things that help the most are the things that are the most difficult to do. There’s a difference, however, between something that's difficult and something that's impossible.

The key to depression recovery is to start with a few small goals and slowly build from there. Draw upon whatever resources you have. You may not have much energy, but you probably have enough to take a short walk around the block or pick up the phone to call a loved one.

Take things one day at a time and reward yourself for each accomplishment. The steps may seem small, but they’ll quickly add up. And for all the energy you put into your depression recovery, you’ll get back much more in return.

Self-Help Tips

Challenge Negative Thinking
Cultivate Supportive Relationships
Eat a healthy, mood-boosting diet
Drink more water
Exercise
Mindfulness Meditation
Do things that make you feel good

All of the above Self-Help Tips have been proven to help with low-mood or depression. But if you feel like you cannot do any of these or that you need more than that, please seek professional help from a psychotherapist, counselling psychologist or counselor that can help by supporting you, listen to you and help you to put an action-plan together that can help you through the depressive episode.

It might be worth downloading our Free eBook "Take Your MEDS & Get High on Life" as there is loads of great tips on how to look after your self care and how to raise your energy naturally. 

Download by clicking on the image below!